Sales figures confirm that 1966 was the best year for the First Generation Mustang, with 607,568 buyers parking one in their driveway. The lowest-selling variant was the Fastback, which accounted for 35,698 cars, or 5.9% of total sales. This Fastback has undergone a few changes and has been sitting in a garage for more than twenty years. It is a solid and complete classic that runs and drives, meaning returning it to its rightful place on our roads should be straightforward. The new owner could pursue that as a short-term goal, allowing time to devise their plans for the future. The Fastback is listed here on eBay in Walker, Louisiana. Bidding sits below the reserve at $22,100, although there is a BIN option of $35,000.

The overall condition and solid nature of this Mustang suggest that the storage environment for the past two decades must have been relatively favorable. It has the usual areas of rust in the lower rear quarter panels, but the buyer could tackle these with patches rather than total panel replacement. The rest of the exterior looks quite clean, and the underside shots reveal no issues with the rails or floor pans. A few bumps and marks require attention before the seller contemplates what shade of paint to apply. The existing Dark Blue isn’t original, with the Tag confirming its first owner ordered it resplendent in Arcadian Blue. The buyer may choose a faithful restoration, although other colors would provide a stunning visual impact. Polishing the exterior chrome may confirm it is fit for purpose in a driver-grade restoration, and the glass looks okay under a layer of dust. The Magnum 500 wheels aren’t original, and whether they go or stay depends on personal taste.

The buyer could make this Mustang’s interior serviceable with slipcovers, although it deserves a restoration to recapture its former glory. The process includes new upholstery for the seats and door trims and a new carpet set. The dash pad looks good, as does most of the plastic and the headliner. Therefore, a trim kit is probably overkill, meaning the new owner may need to budget less than $1,000 to achieve a positive outcome. Aftermarket additions include a Hurst shifter, air conditioning, and a CD player. Unfortunately, the installer cut the dash to fit that last item, which is disappointing. If the buyer seeks a “factory” appearance, they will need to undertake some welding to return that area of the dash to its original state.

The Mustang’s engine bay houses an A-Code 289ci V8, which sent 225hp to the rear wheels via a manual transmission. It seems the engine may be original, but someone upgraded the transmission from a three-speed to a four-speed Top Loader. In its prime, this ‘Stang would have covered the ¼-mile in 15.5 seconds before winding its way to 125mph. If this car’s lack of rust is one slice of positive news, its mechanical condition is another. After two decades in hibernation, the seller revived this classic. It starts, runs, and drives but will require servicing, a thorough inspection, and new tires before being considered roadworthy. If that proves the extent of the tasks, returning it to active duty should be an achievable short-term goal.

It has always intrigued me why the Mustang Fastback was a relatively slow seller in what was a banner year. It didn’t lack in the appearance stakes, although some buyers may have found the reduced rear headroom compared to the Coupe as a deciding factor. However, times change, and they have become one of the “must-haves” of the current classic scene. This one needs work, but it appears that returning it to its former glory will not be challenging. If one of your New Year’s resolutions was to park a First Generation Mustang project car in your workshop, maybe that chance has arrived early.